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The risk, release & reward.

Have you ever helped flood irrigate?

.......

I hadn't ever until last year.

It still gets me how something as small - and as simple - as a few 1x4's, or a piece of plywood and a tarp can be rigged to hold back a mass of water so great that it builds and then spills over the sides bringing new life to pastures or crops.

But that also, in a matter of a few seconds, and with a few pulls - it can all be released?

That moment when the boards are pulled, and the pressure of the water is released and it all just floods away....

The ranch Clint works for irrigates a majority of their pastures using a ditch and flood irrigation. The water is diverted out of the Umatilla River at the East end of the ranch. It runs through a course of canals, ditches and diversions and after soaking through pastures and fields, it ultimately makes it's way back into the Umatilla River at the NW end of the ranch.

Recently, Double M has opened their own flood gates, and stepped out on a limb to be a "guinea pig" as Mike explained to the camera crew that visited earlier this month.

They've changed their diversion dam in the Umatilla - and are one of the first and only landowners in a major tributary of the Columbia River to do so. The goal was to create a partnership.

One in which the river flourishes, the land and ranch flourishes and the wildlife and fish flourish.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride!". - Anonymous

You can't have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic. - Unknown

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. - Arthur Ashe

Happiness is the reward we get for living to see the highest right we know. - Richard Bach

Be sure you put your feet in the right place; then stand firm - Abraham Lincoln